Michelle Kwan - Year in Review

Re: Michelle Kwan - Year in Review

<span style="color:green;font-size:small;"><em>"I’ve been the favorite, the underdog, the little jumping bean. I’ve been everything. Any one you choose will be fine with me," Kwan said. "I’ve definitely had my ups and downs at nationals, but I feel mentally and physically prepared this time. I’m nervous, of course … I’m human</em></span>."

<span style="text-decoration:underline">I dig this quote. It reminds me a movie line from "I Can Get It for You Wholesale": I've been pinched, patted, and kissed, fought my way out of hotels, taxi cabs and bars. It took a strong stomach, but I know this bussiness and I'm going to the top!</span>

One of Sinatra's songs has lyrics about having had his ups and downs and over and out but I know one thing..... I forget the name and the rest of the lyrics.

Re: Michelle Kwan - Year in Review

That's life - that's what all the people say
You're ridin' high in April, shot down in May
But I know I'm gonna change that tune
When I'm back on top, back on top in June

I say, that's life, and as funny as it may seem
Some people get their kicks steppin' on a dream
But I don't let it, let it get me down
Cause this fine old world, it keeps spinning around

I've been a puppet, a pauper, a pirate, a poet - a pawn and a king
I've been up and down and over and out - and I know one thing:
Each time I find myself flat on my face
I pick myself up and get back in the race

That's life - I tell you - I can't deny it:
I thought of quittin', baby, but my heart just ain't gonna buy it
And if I didn't think it was worth one single try
I'd jump right on a big bird an then I'd fly

I've been a puppet, a pauper, a pirate, a poet - a pawn and a king
I've been up and down and over and out - and I know one thing:
Each time I find myself, laying flat on my face
I just pick myself up and get back in the race

That's life. that's life, and I can't deny it:
Many times I thought of cuttin' out, but my heart won't buy it
But if there's nothing shakin' come this here July
I'm gonna roll myself up in a big ball...
And die
My, my

Re: Michelle Kwan - Year in Review

I think Michelle will keep on competing. I will be interested to see what strategy she follows. She could try to up the ante technically, like she did unsuccessfully in 2002, experimenting with new triple-triples in the early part of the season.

Or she could go with what worked in 2003. Do what she does best, do it perfectly, and put the onus on her competitors to step up to the plate if they can.

Mathman

PS. As for being too old, hey, Martina Navratolova just won her 20th Wimbledon title (this one in mixed doubles) this afternoon, at age 47. Let's see...for Michelle that would be just in time for the 2026 Olympics.

Re: Michelle Kwan - Year in Review

Well Michelle has a new training regimine, and I believe she is taking it very seriously. She knows where she needs to build up, and when to take a break.
I think the main reason why she hired a new physical trainer is to improve her body strength so she can do more difficult 3/3s. One of the reasons why she didn't continue to work on the 3Sal/3Loop was b/c it was causing her back problems.

I don't think MK would go through all the lengths to get a new training regimine if she wasn't thinking about 2006. I also think she isn't telling us she is staying in through 2006 is b/c she wants to avoid the criticims she will get for staying in and how she is too old or hogging the spotlight, etc. And also to keep her fans and competitors on their toes. MK is an excellent strategist and competitor.

Re: Michelle Kwan - Year in Review

Re: Michelle Kwan - Year in Review

[/i]EzCode Parsing Error: color=blue]<em>“This year was different for me," Kwan said just before Worlds. "After such a long tour, I gave myself a break, saying ‘OK Michelle, whatever you want to do, do.’ I was playing it by ear. I had Nikoli (Morozov) choreograph a short and long program within two days … I wasn’t playing so much in attack mode, which I’m used to. I felt a little empty … I wasn’t sure where I wanted to go – I wasn’t sure if I was going to compete at all."</em>

I love this quote, especially the parts about not playing so much in attack mode, feeling a little empty, and not being sure she was going to compete at all. This is just my guess of course, but I think these feelings of uncertainty allowed Michelle to explore new things in her skating. I also agree with THIZfiyaVIETgrl that the new training regimine made a big difference. I think it not only helped her physically but also mentally. By feeling stronger and more secure on the ice and having an open attitude toward her skating, I think Michelle was able to achieve new depths in the emotionality in skating in addition to the technical improvements.

I think this was a watershed year for Michelle. IMO, she's at a whole new level of champion now. Forgive me for the perhaps corny analogy, but I think Michelle's '02-03 season was like her "Sgt. Pepper" album season. She was great before (despite my criticisms , I always recognized and admired her achievements), but with this season I think she has transcended medals won and other external achievements. I think she's found and started developing the unique artist within herself. The changes in Michelle's skating this season remind me of the breakthrough seasons of other skaters such as Paul Wylie, Kurt Browning, and Kristi Y when they went from being great technicians and performers to true artists on their own terms.

At least for me, I will always remember this past season as the one where Michelle did what I always hoped she would do but wasn't sure if she would. She exceeded my expectations and IMO the internal changes perhaps caused by reflecting on the results of the Olympics and the four years leading up to it (I don't know of course; just guessing) also gave her personality a newfound maturity and depth.

I am excited to see where her hard won and intelligent changes take her skating. My, my indeed:D
Rgirl

Re: Michelle Kwan - Year in Review

Rgirl, while I'm glad you have found something in Michelle's artistry to your liking, I'm very confused as to what it is about her so-called new artistry that has wowed you .

I recall you mentioned you weren't impressed by her past performances except Winter and Rush. Now you are impressed by her skating in Aranjuez and The Feeling Begins. You mentioned you thought she was using her whole body in TFB and Aranjuez but NOT in most of her other programs in her entire skating career. You weren't impressed by the great Lyra Angelica. That's fine, to each their own. But I want to understand what exactly "whole body" means? I'm one who doesn't understand choreography and artistry, you need not waste your time explaining that to me. :lol: But I feel like yelling in frustration whenever I watch TFB and Aranjuez and wondering aloud "what's Rgirl talking about, I don't see any difference between these 2 and her past programs!".

Also, I'm curious as to why you and most Michelle fans think Aranjuez is a great program? I often read from other forums that it lacks choreography and it's nothing but all jumps and crossovers. To me, it's an exciting program, that's all. Thanks.